Review of the Pioneer HTSGS1 Surround Sound System

What's more exciting than playing your favorite video games on a HDTV? Playing them with surround sound of course. Surround sound adds so much more depth to the sound of your favorite games by allowing you to hear people sneaking up on you, wind blowing in different directions and explosions rocking your house. Recently I purchased the Pioneer HTSGS1 surround sound system, made to go along side the Xbox 360. I was blown away by the sound and the fact that it's very affordable for a home theatre in a box basically. Here is my review of the Pioneer HTSGS1.

I said it was made to go along side the Xbox 360 but you don't need an Xbox 360 to use it. Many people have purchased the Pioneer HTSGS1 to go with just their TV's and movies. It will go along with anything any other surround sound system would go with, so you don't need a video game system to use. The Pioneer HTSGS1 is a 500 watt surround system that comes with 5 speakers (three front, two rear and a subwoofer) and a small display you can set by your TV or entertainment center that is used for setting the volume for each speaker amongst other settings.

What I really thought was cool about the Pioneer HTSGS1 is that it comes with a tiny microphone that you place right about where you'll be seated, and the system will run a test to calibrate each speaker and the bass for optimal sound and volume. I had to do the test two or three times because I kept readjusting my speakers and microphone location. I find that the rear speakers are pretty quiet and they are not that far behind me. I actually have the rear speakers maxed out and it's an improvement, but I wish they were a little louder. The bass I actually had to turn down because it was rattling my window. I have this setup in a bedroom, a living room is obviously more preferred but it's a nice addition to a bedroom if that's where your main TV area is located.

The Pioneer HTSGS1 comes with a universal remote that looks similar to the Xbox 360 universal remote in a sense. One the remote you will find the colored buttons that are located on a Xbox 360 controller, along with a power button to turn on your 360 and a media center button if you have access to it from your 360. There's a pull down flap on the bottom which reveals even more buttons, which are mostly used for settings on the surround sound but you can program the remote to work with your TV, DVD player and more.

There are two different ways you can set the speakers up. You can set it up so you have two of the front speakers hanging on the wall with the center speaker on an entertainment center with the two rear speakers hanging as well, or you have the front speakers on top of the rear speakers setup by your TV if you don't want to bother hanging the speakers on a wall or running wires. This system is wired so you'll have to consider that when deciding to purchase this or not. Setting the front speakers on top of the rear speakers is said to have a better surround sound quality. You have to angle the front (top) speakers outward. I have not personally tried this and I'm pretty satisfied with them hanging on my wall. You have to supply your own screws to put them on a wall but come with brackets you attach to the speakers so you can hang them.

Pricing will range for the Pioneer HTSGS1 depending on where you find it. I purchased mine online from a store on Amazon for $100. Some sites have it for $500, while others have it for around $200. Wal-Mart use to carry it for $125 but mine hasn't had any in for a long time. EBay always has listings for them, so you can be sure to find one there. Overall, the Pioneer HTSGS1 is a great starter surround sound system for anyone. Whether you have a small TV, huge TV, want it for movies or just want it for games.